If you are planning to study in Germany with financial support, the DAAD Leadership for Africa (LFA) Scholarship is one of the best opportunities available for international students. This scholarship provides fully funded programs at German universities across a wide range of fields. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the DAAD Leadership for Africa (LFA) Scholarship 2027, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The DAAD Leadership for Africa (LFA) Scholarship 2026-2027 is available to pursue a master’s degree at the top German universities. DAAD LFA scholarships cover monthly payments of 934 euros and adequate health, accident, and private/personal liability insurance in Germany and more.
The scholarship program “Leadership for Africa” (LfA) aims to support the academic qualification and advancement of young refugees and national scholars from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda at higher education institutions in Germany.
Well-trained experts, who are networked with international partners, play an important part in the sustainable development of their countries. They are the best guarantee for a better future with less poverty and more education and health for all. With its development-oriented postgraduate study programs, the DAAD promotes the training of specialists from developed and newly industrialized countries.
The scholarships offer foreign graduates from developed and newly industrialized countries from all disciplines the chance to take a postgraduate or master’s degree at a state or state-recognized German university and, in exceptional cases, to take a doctoral degree and to obtain a university qualification (master’s/PhD) in Germany.
Related Fully Funded Government Scholarships
Leadership for Africa (LFA) Scholarship 2026 Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s
- Institution: DAAD
- Study Destination: Germany
- Courses Offered:
- You can also see the complete list of available postgraduate courses.
- Program Period: Between 12 and 36 months, depending on the length of the chosen study program.
The Leadership for Africa (LFA) Scholarship Deadline
The application window for the Leadership for Africa (LFA) Scholarship typically runs from April to June each year. Click the link for more information.
Leadership for Africa (LFA) Scholarship Coverage
The DAAD LFA Scholarship for Master’s and PhDs in Germany provides the recipient with the following benefits:
- German language course (up to 6 months) in Germany before the start of the university studies
- Tuition-free M.A. or M.Sc. degree programs at a public or state-recognized university in Germany starting in the winter term 2026 (September/October 2026)
- Additional mandatory training program: LEAD!
Duration of the funding
Generally, selected candidates will start their German language course in April 2026 and take up their studies at a German institution of higher education by approx. October 1st, 2026. The duration of funding is determined by the standard period of study of the chosen program. In general, eligible master’s programs require two years of full-time study.
Value
- A German language course (up to 6 months) in Germany before the start of the study program includes coverage of the test fees for a German language certificate (TestDaF or DSH test), pocket money, and accommodation (only during the language course). The DAAD decides whether to fund participation and for how long, depending on German language skills and study requirements. Participation in a language course is compulsory.
- Monthly scholarship rate payments of 934 EURO
- Adequate health, accident, and private/personal liability insurance in Germany
- Travel allowance
- Yearly study allowance
- Additional mandatory training program: LEAD!
- If applicable, a monthly rent subsidy and a monthly allowance for accompanying family members (spouse and/or children)
Please note that family reunions may be time-delayed or even not be possible during the duration of the scholarship due to the duration of the visa processes for some home or host countries.
Eligibility Criteria for Leadership for Africa (LFA) Scholarship 2027
To be eligible for the DAAD LFA Scholarship for master’s and PhDs in Germany, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Required Languages: English or German.
- The language of instruction in study programs in Germany is usually German, or in international programs, English and German. To be admitted to a program, you are therefore usually required to submit an appropriate language certificate (e.g., DSH or TestDaF if the language of instruction is German, or TOEFL/IELTS in the case of English). The necessary language skills for the desired field of study must be proven at the latest by the start of the study program. The application documents must include suitable proof of necessary language skills or the ability to acquire them within the German language course.
Find more information on the Important Scholarship Information / A.9 and A.10.
- The language of instruction in study programs in Germany is usually German, or in international programs, English and German. To be admitted to a program, you are therefore usually required to submit an appropriate language certificate (e.g., DSH or TestDaF if the language of instruction is German, or TOEFL/IELTS in the case of English). The necessary language skills for the desired field of study must be proven at the latest by the start of the study program. The application documents must include suitable proof of necessary language skills or the ability to acquire them within the German language course.
- Eligible Countries: Young refugees and national scholars from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda
What requirements must be met?
- The applicant must have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree at the time of application, meeting the requirements of German universities for entry into a master’s degree program.
- A bachelor’s degree of at least 2nd class, upper division level, is required.
- As a rule, not more than 6 years should have passed since the completion of the last academic degree (see important information for scholarship applicants / Section A, point 2).
- Good English or good German language skills
- For Refugees: Copy of Refugee ID card issued before 02.04.2023
How to Apply for the Leadership for Africa (LFA) Scholarship 2027?
To apply for the DAAD Scholarship for a master’s and PhD in Germany, please follow the following step-by-step application procedure:
Required Documents for DAAD LFA Scholarship 2027
- Online DAAD application form duly completed (available on the DAAD portal)
- The curriculum vitae should be a maximum of 3 pages, detailing your academic education to date, current and previous employment, previous scholarships, current address, and relevant language and other skills.
- A Letter of Motivation, spanning 1-3 pages, should provide a detailed explanation of your academic, professional, and personal motivations for the proposed study project. Please also read our Important Scholarship Information / Section B, Point 1.
- DAAD Form “Study course profile” duly completed (please specify 3 master’s programs). Please be aware that DAAD does not consider your suggestions of master’s programs that charge tuition fees. This should be considered while deciding on the master’s programs. Please also note the information on how to fill in the form ‘Study course profile.’ The form can be subject to change every year; only access the most recent version by using the link above.
- Proof of necessary language skills for the desired master’s programs. Please also read our important information for scholarship applicants / Section A, Point 9.
- University degree certificate indicating final grade(s), including transcripts of records for all study years with all individual grades, including an explanation of the grading system
- Copies of your passport/national identification card and copies of your passport’s/national identification card’s biodata page and other documents containing information about you and your current residence status
- For refugees: Refugee ID card and UNHCR registration/official proof of asylum by authorities or government
Optional:
Additional documents that may be relevant to your application include certificates of employment and/or internship, proof of previous scholarships, extracurricular engagement, recommendation letters, and (expired) admissions to a German master’s program.
Please note
Applications have to be submitted exclusively to the DAAD portal. Applications submitted through other channels or to another authority will not be considered. The DAAD portal closes at 24.00 hrs. Central European Summer Time (CEST) on the last application day. Incomplete applications cannot be considered. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their applications are complete.
Please note that the “Application portal” tab in the scholarship database only appears while the current application period is running. Once the application deadline has expired, the portal for this program is inaccessible until next year’s application period.
Step-by-Step Application and Selection Procedure for Leadership for Africa (LFA) Scholarship
- Choose suitable courses of your interest. (You can apply for a maximum of three courses.)
- Apply to universities offering those courses.
- You send your complete application(s) (with the above documents) directly to the universities.
- A selection committee suggests potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship.
- DAAD will contact the suggested candidates to upload their complete application to the DAAD Portal. (The link to the DAAD Portal will be provided by DAAD through email.)
- DAAD will finalize the selection process and inform the suggested candidates accordingly.
Important Note:
Make sure that you have a copy of each document of your application ready, as those documents (as PDF files) have to be uploaded to the DAAD Portal in case you are selected for a DAAD scholarship!
Website
To learn more about the Leadership for Africa (LFA) Scholarship, please visit the official website: